ShetoldhimhowDeborahsewedherseamveryneatlyeveryday，andreadtoherinthebookshehadsether；howshewasavery"forrard，"goodchild，butwouldaskquestionshermothercouldnotanswer，buthowshedidnotletherselfdownbysayingshedidnotknow，buttooktostirringthefire，orsendingthe"forrard"childonanerrand。Mattywasnowthemother’sdarling，andpromised（likehersisteratherage），tobeagreatbeauty。IwasreadingthisaloudtoMissMatty，whosmiledandsighedalittleatthehope，sofondlyexpressed，that"littleMattymightnotbevain，evenifshewereabewty。"
"Ihadveryprettyhair，mydear，"saidMistMatilda；"andnotabadmouth。"AndIsawhersoonafterwardsadjusthercapanddrawherselfup。
ButtoreturntoMrsJenkyns’sletters。Shetoldherhusbandaboutthepoorintheparish；whathomelydomesticmedicinesshehadadministered；whatkitchenphysicshehadsent。Shehadevidentlyheldhisdispleasureasarodinpickleovertheheadsofallthene’er—do—wells。Sheaskedforhisdirectionsaboutthecowsandpigs；anddidnotalwaysobtainthem，asIhaveshownbefore。
Thekindoldgrandmotherwasdeadwhenalittleboywasborn，soonafterthepublicationofthesermon；buttherewasanotherletterofexhortationfromthegrandfather，morestringentandadmonitorythanever，nowthattherewasaboytobeguardedfromthesnaresoftheworld。Hedescribedallthevarioussinsintowhichmenmightfall，untilIwonderedhowanymanevercametoanaturaldeath。Thegallowsseemedasifitmusthavebeentheterminationofthelivesofmostofthegrandfather’sfriendsandacquaintance；
andIwasnotsurprisedatthewayinwhichhespokeofthislifebeing"avaleoftears。"
ItseemedcuriousthatIshouldneverhaveheardofthisbrotherbefore；butIconcludedthathehaddiedyoung，orelsesurelyhisnamewouldhavebeenalludedtobyhissisters。
By—and—bywecametopacketsofMissJenkyns’sletters。TheseMissMattydidregrettoburn。Shesaidalltheothershadbeenonlyinterestingtothosewholovedthewriters，andthatitseemedasifitwouldhavehurthertoallowthemtofallintothehandsofstrangers，whohadnotknownherdearmother，andhowgoodshewas，althoughshedidnotalwaysspell，quiteinthemodernfashion；butDeborah’slettersweresoverysuperior！Anyonemightprofitbyreadingthem。ItwasalongtimesinceshehadreadMrsChapone，butsheknewsheusedtothinkthatDeborahcouldhavesaidthesamethingsquiteaswell；andasforMrsCarter！peoplethoughtadealofherletters，justbecauseshehadwritten"Epictetus，"butshewasquitesureDeborahwouldneverhavemadeuseofsuchacommonexpressionas"Icannabefashed！"
MissMattydidgrudgeburningtheseletters，itwasevident。Shewouldnotletthembecarelesslypassedoverwithanyquietreading，andskipping，tomyself。Shetookthemfromme，andevenlightedthesecondcandleinordertoreadthemaloudwithaproperemphasis，andwithoutstumblingoverthebigwords。Ohdear！howI
wantedfactsinsteadofreflections，beforethoseletterswereconcluded！Theylastedustwonights；andIwon’tdenythatImadeuseofthetimetothinkofmanyotherthings，andyetIwasalwaysatmypostattheendofeachsentence。
Therector’sletters，andthoseofhiswifeandmother—in—law，hadallbeentolerablyshortandpithy，writteninastraighthand，withthelinesveryclosetogether。Sometimesthewholeletterwascontainedonamerescrapofpaper。Thepaperwasveryyellow，andtheinkverybrown；someofthesheetswere（asMissMattymademeobserve）theoldoriginalpost，withthestampinthecornerrepresentingapost—boyridingforlifeandtwanginghishorn。ThelettersofMrsJenkynsandhermotherwerefastenedwithagreatroundredwafer；foritwasbeforeMissEdgeworth’s"patronage"hadbanishedwafersfrompolitesociety。Itwasevident，fromthetenorofwhatwassaid，thatfrankswereingreatrequest，andwereevenusedasameansofpayingdebtsbyneedymembersofParliament。Therectorsealedhisepistleswithanimmensecoatofarms，andshowedbythecarewithwhichhehadperformedthisceremonythatheexpectedtheyshouldbecutopen，notbrokenbyanythoughtlessorimpatienthand。Now，MissJenkyns’sletterswereofalaterdateinformandwriting。Shewroteonthesquaresheetwhichwehavelearnedtocallold—fashioned。Herhandwasadmirablycalculated，togetherwithheruseofmany—syllabledwords，tofillupasheet，andthencametheprideanddelightofcrossing。PoorMissMattygotsadlypuzzledwiththis，forthewordsgatheredsizelikesnowballs，andtowardstheendofherletterMissJenkynsusedtobecomequitesesquipedalian。Inonetoherfather，slightlytheologicalandcontroversialinitstone，shehadspokenofHerod，TetrarchofIdumea。MissMattyreadit"HerodPetrarchofEtruria，"andwasjustaswellpleasedasifshehadbeenright。
Ican’tquiterememberthedate，butIthinkitwasin1805thatMissJenkynswrotethelongestseriesofletters—onoccasionofherabsenceonavisittosomefriendsnearNewcastle—upon—Tyne。
Thesefriendswereintimatewiththecommandantofthegarrisonthere，andheardfromhimofallthepreparationsthatwerebeingmadetorepeltheinvasionofBuonaparte，whichsomepeopleimaginedmighttakeplaceatthemouthoftheTyne。MissJenkynswasevidentlyverymuchalarmed；andthefirstpartofherletterswasoftenwritteninprettyintelligibleEnglish，conveyingparticularsofthepreparationswhichweremadeinthefamilywithwhomshewasresidingagainstthedreadedevent；thebundlesofclothesthatwerepackedupreadyforaflighttoAlstonMoor（awildhillypieceofgroundbetweenNorthumberlandandCumberland）；
thesignalthatwastobegivenforthisflight，andforthesimultaneousturningoutofthevolunteersunderarms—whichsaidsignalwastoconsist（ifIrememberrightly）inringingthechurchbellsinaparticularandominousmanner。Oneday，whenMissJenkynsandherhostswereatadinner—partyinNewcastle，thiswarningsummonswasactuallygiven（notaverywiseproceeding，iftherebeanytruthinthemoralattachedtothefableoftheBoyandtheWolf；butsoitwas），andMissJenkyns，hardlyrecoveredfromherfright，wrotethenextdaytodescribethesound，thebreathlessshock，thehurryandalarm；andthen，takingbreath，sheadded，"Howtrivial，mydearfather，doallourapprehensionsofthelasteveningappear，atthepresentmoment，tocalmandenquiringminds！"AndhereMissMattybrokeinwith—
"But，indeed，mydear，theywerenotatalltrivialortriflingatthetime。IknowIusedtowakeupinthenightmanyatimeandthinkIheardthetrampoftheFrenchenteringCranford。Manypeopletalkedofhidingthemselvesinthesaltmines—andmeatwouldhavekeptcapitallydownthere，onlyperhapsweshouldhavebeenthirsty。Andmyfatherpreachedawholesetofsermonsontheoccasion；onesetinthemornings，allaboutDavidandGoliath，tospiritupthepeopletofightingwithspadesorbricks，ifneedwere；andtheothersetintheafternoons，provingthatNapoleon（thatwasanothernameforBony，asweusedtocallhim）wasallthesameasanApollyonandAbaddon。Iremembermyfatherratherthoughtheshouldbeaskedtoprintthislastset；buttheparishhad，perhaps，hadenoughofthemwithhearing。"
PeterMarmadukeArleyJenkyns（"poorPeter！"asMissMattybegantocallhim）wasatschoolatShrewsburybythistime。Therectortookuphispen，andrubbeduphisLatinoncemore，tocorrespondwithhisboy。Itwasveryclearthatthelad’swerewhatarecalledshowletters。Theywereofahighlymentaldescription，givinganaccountofhisstudies，andhisintellectualhopesofvariouskinds，withanoccasionalquotationfromtheclassics；but，nowandthen，theanimalnaturebrokeoutinsuchalittlesentenceasthis，evidentlywritteninatremblinghurry，aftertheletterhadbeeninspected："Motherdear，dosendmeacake，andputplentyofcitronin。"The"motherdear"probablyansweredherboyintheformofcakesand"goody，"fortherewerenoneofherlettersamongthisset；butawholecollectionoftherector’s，towhomtheLatininhisboy’sletterswaslikeatrumpettotheoldwar—horse。IdonotknowmuchaboutLatin，certainly，anditis，perhaps，anornamentallanguage，butnotveryuseful，Ithink—atleasttojudgefromthebitsIrememberoutoftherector’sletters。Onewas，"YouhavenotgotthattowninyourmapofIreland；butBONUS
BERNARDUSNONVIDETOMNIA，astheProverbiasay。"Presentlyitbecameveryevidentthat"poorPeter"gothimselfintomanyscrapes。Therewerelettersofstiltedpenitencetohisfather，forsomewrong—doing；andamongthemallwasabadly—written，badly—sealed，badly—directed，blottednote：—"Mydear，dear，dear，dearestmother，Iwillbeabetterboy；Iwill，indeed；butdon’t，please，beillforme；Iamnotworthit；butIwillbegood，darlingmother。"
MissMattycouldnotspeakforcrying，aftershehadreadthisnote。Shegaveittomeinsilence，andthengotupandtookittohersacredrecessesinherownroom，forfear，byanychance，itmightgetburnt。"PoorPeter！"shesaid；"hewasalwaysinscrapes；hewastooeasy。Theyledhimwrong，andthenlefthiminthelurch。Buthewastoofondofmischief。Hecouldneverresistajoke。PoorPeter！"
CHAPTERVI—POORPETER
POORPeter’scareerlaybeforehimratherpleasantlymappedoutbykindfriends，butBONUSBERNARDUSNONVIDETOMNIA，inthismaptoo。
HewastowinhonoursattheShrewsburySchool，andcarrythemthicktoCambridge，andafterthat，alivingawaitedhim，thegiftofhisgodfather，SirPeterArley。PoorPeter！hislotinlifewasverydifferenttowhathisfriendshadhopedandplanned。MissMattytoldmeallaboutit，andIthinkitwasareliefwhenshehaddoneso。
Hewasthedarlingofhismother，whoseemedtodoteonallherchildren，thoughshewas，perhaps，alittleafraidofDeborah’ssuperioracquirements。Deborahwasthefavouriteofherfather，andwhenPeterdisappointedhim，shebecamehispride。ThesolehonourPeterbroughtawayfromShrewsburywasthereputationofbeingthebestgoodfellowthateverwas，andofbeingthecaptainoftheschoolintheartofpracticaljoking。Hisfatherwasdisappointed，butsetaboutremedyingthematterinamanlyway。
HecouldnotaffordtosendPetertoreadwithanytutor，buthecouldreadwithhimhimself；andMissMattytoldmemuchoftheawfulpreparationsinthewayofdictionariesandlexiconsthatweremadeinherfather’sstudythemorningPeterbegan。
"Mypoormother！"saidshe。"Irememberhowsheusedtostandinthehall，justnearenoughthestudy—door，tocatchthetoneofmyfather’svoice。Icouldtellinamomentifallwasgoingright，byherface。Anditdidgorightforalongtime。"
"Whatwentwrongatlast？"saidI。"ThattiresomeLatin，Idaresay。"
"No！itwasnottheLatin。Peterwasinhighfavourwithmyfather，forheworkedupwellforhim。ButheseemedtothinkthattheCranfordpeoplemightbejokedabout，andmadefunof，andtheydidnotlikeit；nobodydoes。Hewasalwayshoaxingthem；
’hoaxing’isnotaprettyword，mydear，andIhopeyouwon’ttellyourfatherIusedit，forIshouldnotlikehimtothinkthatI
wasnotchoiceinmylanguage，afterlivingwithsuchawomanasDeborah。Andbesureyouneveruseityourself。Idon’tknowhowitslippedoutofmymouth，exceptitwasthatIwasthinkingofpoorPeteranditwasalwayshisexpression。Buthewasaverygentlemanlyboyinmanythings。HewaslikedearCaptainBrowninalwaysbeingreadytohelpanyoldpersonorachild。Still，hedidlikejokingandmakingfun；andheseemedtothinktheoldladiesinCranfordwouldbelieveanything。Thereweremanyoldladieslivingherethen；weareprincipallyladiesnow，Iknow，butwearenotsooldastheladiesusedtobewhenIwasagirl。I
couldlaughtothinkofsomeofPeter’sjokes。No，mydear，I
won’ttellyouofthem，becausetheymightnotshockyouastheyoughttodo，andtheywereveryshocking。Heeventookinmyfatheronce，bydressinghimselfupasaladythatwaspassingthroughthetownandwishedtoseetheRectorofCranford，’whohadpublishedthatadmirableAssizeSermon。’Petersaidhewasawfullyfrightenedhimselfwhenhesawhowmyfathertookitallin，andevenofferedtocopyoutallhisNapoleonBuonapartesermonsforher—him，Imean—no，her，forPeterwasaladythen。Hetoldmehewasmoreterrifiedthanheeverwasbefore，allthetimemyfatherwasspeaking。Hedidnotthinkmyfatherwouldhavebelievedhim；andyetifhehadnot，itwouldhavebeenasadthingforPeter。Asitwas，hewasnonesogladofit，formyfatherkepthimhardatworkcopyingoutallthosetwelveBuonapartesermonsforthelady—thatwasforPeterhimself，youknow。Hewasthelady。Andoncewhenhewantedtogofishing，Petersaid，’Confoundthewoman！’—verybadlanguage，mydear，butPeterwasnotalwayssoguardedasheshouldhavebeen；myfatherwassoangrywithhim，itnearlyfrightenedmeoutofmywits：andyetI
couldhardlykeepfromlaughingatthelittlecurtseysPeterkeptmaking，quiteslyly，whenevermyfatherspokeofthelady’sexcellenttasteandsounddiscrimination。"
"DidMissJenkynsknowofthesetricks？"saidI。
"Oh，no！Deborahwouldhavebeentoomuchshocked。No，nooneknewbutme。IwishIhadalwaysknownofPeter’splans；butsometimeshedidnottellme。Heusedtosaytheoldladiesinthetownwantedsomethingtotalkabout；butIdon’tthinktheydid。
TheyhadtheSTJAMES’SCHRONICLEthreetimesaweek，justaswehavenow，andwehaveplentytosay；andIremembertheclackingnoisetherealwayswaswhensomeoftheladiesgottogether。But，probably，schoolboystalkmorethanladies。Atlasttherewasaterrible，sadthinghappened。"MissMattygotup，wenttothedoor，andopenedit；noonewasthere。SherangthebellforMartha，andwhenMarthacame，hermistresstoldhertogoforeggstoafarmattheotherendofthetown。
"Iwilllockthedoorafteryou，Martha。Youarenotafraidtogo，areyou？"
"No，ma’am，notatall；JemHearnwillbeonlytooproudtogowithme。"
MissMattydrewherselfup，andassoonaswewerealone，shewishedthatMarthahadmoremaidenlyreserve。
"We’llputoutthecandle，mydear。Wecantalkjustaswellbyfirelight，youknow。There！Well，yousee，Deborahhadgonefromhomeforafortnightorso；itwasaverystill，quietday，I
remember，overhead；andthelilacswereallinflower，soIsupposeitwasspring。Myfatherhadgoneouttoseesomesickpeopleintheparish；Irecollectseeinghimleavethehousewithhiswigandshovel—hatandcane。WhatpossessedourpoorPeterIdon’tknow；
hehadthesweetesttemper，andyethealwaysseemedtoliketoplagueDeborah。Sheneverlaughedathisjokes，andthoughthimungenteel，andnotcarefulenoughaboutimprovinghismind；andthatvexedhim。
"Well！hewenttoherroom，itseems，anddressedhimselfinheroldgown，andshawl，andbonnet；justthethingssheusedtowearinCranford，andwasknownbyeverywhere；andhemadethepillowintoalittle—youaresureyoulockedthedoor，mydear，forI
shouldnotlikeanyonetohear—into—intoalittlebaby，withwhitelongclothes。Itwasonly，ashetoldmeafterwards，tomakesomethingtotalkaboutinthetown；heneverthoughtofitasaffectingDeborah。AndhewentandwalkedupanddownintheFilbertwalk—justhalf—hiddenbytherails，andhalf—seen；andhecuddledhispillow，justlikeababy，andtalkedtoitallthenonsensepeopledo。Ohdear！andmyfathercamesteppingstatelyupthestreet，ashealwaysdid；andwhatshouldheseebutalittleblackcrowdofpeople—Idaresayasmanyastwenty—allpeepingthroughhisgardenrails。Sohethought，atfirst，theywereonlylookingatanewrhododendronthatwasinfullbloom，andthathewasveryproudof；andhewalkedslower，thattheymighthavemoretimetoadmire。Andhewonderedifhecouldmakeoutasermonfromtheoccasion，andthought，perhaps，therewassomerelationbetweentherhododendronsandtheliliesofthefield。Mypoorfather！Whenhecamenearer，hebegantowonderthattheydidnotseehim；buttheirheadswereallsoclosetogether，peepingandpeeping！Myfatherwasamongstthem，meaning，hesaid，toaskthemtowalkintothegardenwithhim，andadmirethebeautifulvegetableproduction，when—oh，mydear，Itrembletothinkofit—helookedthroughtherailshimself，andsaw—Idon’tknowwhathethoughthesaw，butoldClaretoldmehisfacewentquitegrey—
whitewithanger，andhiseyesblazedoutunderhisfrowningblackbrows；andhespokeout—oh，soterribly！—andbadethemallstopwheretheywere—notoneofthemtogo，notoneofthemtostirastep；and，swiftaslight，hewasinatthegardendoor，anddowntheFilbertwalk，andseizedholdofpoorPeter，andtorehisclothesoffhisback—bonnet，shawl，gown，andall—andthrewthepillowamongthepeopleovertherailings：andthenhewasvery，veryangryindeed，andbeforeallthepeoplehelifteduphiscaneandfloggedPeter！
"Mydear，thatboy’strick，onthatsunnyday，whenallseemedgoingstraightandwell，brokemymother’sheart，andchangedmyfatherforlife。Itdid，indeed。OldClaresaid，Peterlookedaswhiteasmyfather；andstoodasstillasastatuetobeflogged；
andmyfatherstruckhard！Whenmyfatherstoppedtotakebreath，Petersaid，’Haveyoudoneenough，sir？’quitehoarsely，andstillstandingquitequiet。Idon’tknowwhatmyfathersaid—orifhesaidanything。ButoldClaresaid，Peterturnedtowherethepeopleoutsidetherailingwere，andmadethemalowbow，asgrandandasgraveasanygentleman；andthenwalkedslowlyintothehouse。Iwasinthestore—roomhelpingmymothertomakecowslipwine。Icannotabidethewinenow，northescentoftheflowers；
theyturnmesickandfaint，astheydidthatday，whenPetercamein，lookingashaughtyasanyman—indeed，lookinglikeaman，notlikeaboy。’Mother！’hesaid，’Iamcometosay，Godblessyouforever。’Isawhislipsquiverashespoke；andIthinkhedurstnotsayanythingmoreloving，forthepurposethatwasinhisheart。Shelookedathimratherfrightened，andwondering，andaskedhimwhatwastodo。Hedidnotsmileorspeak，butputhisarmsroundherandkissedherasifhedidnotknowhowtoleaveoff；andbeforeshecouldspeakagain，hewasgone。Wetalkeditover，andcouldnotunderstandit，andshebademegoandseekmyfather，andaskwhatitwasallabout。Ifoundhimwalkingupanddown，lookingveryhighlydispleased。
"’TellyourmotherIhavefloggedPeter，andthatherichlydeservedit。’
"Idurstnotaskanymorequestions。WhenItoldmymother，shesatdown，quitefaint，foraminute。Iremember，afewdaysafter，Isawthepoor，witheredcowslipflowersthrownouttotheleafheap，todecayanddiethere。Therewasnomakingofcowslipwinethatyearattherectory—nor，indeed，everafter。
"Presentlymymotherwenttomyfather。IknowIthoughtofQueenEstherandKingAhasuerus；formymotherwasveryprettyanddelicate—looking，andmyfatherlookedasterribleasKingAhasuerus。Sometimeaftertheycameouttogether；andthenmymothertoldmewhathadhappened，andthatshewasgoinguptoPeter’sroomatmyfather’sdesire—thoughshewasnottotellPeterthis—totalkthematteroverwithhim。ButnoPeterwasthere。Welookedoverthehouse；noPeterwasthere！Evenmyfather，whohadnotlikedtojoininthesearchatfirst，helpedusbeforelong。Therectorywasaveryoldhouse—stepsupintoaroom，stepsdownintoaroom，allthrough。Atfirst，mymotherwentcallinglowandsoft，asiftoreassurethepoorboy，’Peter！
Peter，dear！it’sonlyme；’but，by—and—by，astheservantscamebackfromtheerrandsmyfatherhadsentthem，indifferentdirections，tofindwherePeterwas—aswefoundhewasnotinthegarden，northehayloft，noranywhereabout—mymother’scrygrewlouderandwilder，Peter！Peter，mydarling！whereareyou？’forthenshefeltandunderstoodthatthatlongkissmeantsomesadkindof’good—bye。’Theafternoonwenton—mymotherneverresting，butseekingagainandagainineverypossibleplacethathadbeenlookedintotwentytimesbefore，nay，thatshehadlookedintooverandoveragainherself。Myfathersatwithhisheadinhishands，notspeakingexceptwhenhismessengerscamein，bringingnotidings；thenhelifteduphisface，sostrongandsad，andtoldthemtogoagaininsomenewdirection。Mymotherkeptpassingfromroomtoroom，inandoutofthehouse，movingnoiselessly，butneverceasing。Neithershenormyfatherdurstleavethehouse，whichwasthemeeting—placeforallthemessengers。Atlast（anditwasnearlydark），myfatherroseup。
Hetookholdofmymother’sarmasshecamewithwild，sadpacethroughonedoor，andquicklytowardsanother。Shestartedatthetouchofhishand，forshehadforgottenallintheworldbutPeter。
"’Molly！’saidhe，’Ididnotthinkallthiswouldhappen。’Helookedintoherfaceforcomfort—herpoorfaceallwildandwhite；forneithershenormyfatherhaddaredtoacknowledge—
muchlessactupon—theterrorthatwasintheirhearts，lestPetershouldhavemadeawaywithhimself。Myfathersawnoconsciouslookinhiswife’shot，drearyeyes，andhemissedthesympathythatshehadalwaysbeenreadytogivehim—strongmanashewas，andatthedumbdespairinherfacehistearsbegantoflow。Butwhenshesawthis，agentlesorrowcameoverhercountenance，andshesaid，’DearestJohn！don’tcry；comewithme，andwe’llfindhim，’almostascheerfullyasifsheknewwherehewas。Andshetookmyfather’sgreathandinherlittlesoftone，andledhimalong，thetearsdroppingashewalkedonthatsameunceasing，wearywalk，fromroomtoroom，throughhouseandgarden。
"Oh，howIwishedforDeborah！Ihadnotimeforcrying，fornowallseemedtodependonme。IwroteforDeborahtocomehome。I
sentamessageprivatelytothatsameMrHolbrook’shouse—poorMrHolbrook；—youknowwhoImean。Idon’tmeanIsentamessagetohim，butIsentonethatIcouldtrusttoknowifPeterwasathishouse。ForatonetimeMrHolbrookwasanoccasionalvisitorattherectory—youknowhewasMissPole’scousin—andhehadbeenverykindtoPeter，andtaughthimhowtofish—hewasverykindtoeverybody，andIthoughtPetermighthavegoneoffthere。ButMrHolbrookwasfromhome，andPeterhadneverbeenseen。Itwasnightnow；butthedoorswereallwideopen，andmyfatherandmotherwalkedonandon；itwasmorethananhoursincehehadjoinedher，andIdon’tbelievetheyhadeverspokenallthattime。
Iwasgettingtheparlourfirelighted，andoneoftheservantswaspreparingtea，forIwantedthemtohavesomethingtoeatanddrinkandwarmthem，whenoldClareaskedtospeaktome。
"’Ihaveborrowedthenetsfromtheweir，MissMatty。Shallwedragthepondsto—night，orwaitforthemorning？’
"Irememberstaringinhisfacetogatherhismeaning；andwhenI
did，Ilaughedoutloud。Thehorrorofthatnewthought—ourbright，darlingPeter，cold，andstark，anddead！Iremembertheringofmyownlaughnow。
"ThenextdayDeborahwasathomebeforeIwasmyselfagain。ShewouldnothavebeensoweakastogivewayasIhaddone；butmyscreams（myhorriblelaughterhadendedincrying）hadrousedmysweetdearmother，whosepoorwanderingwitswerecalledbackandcollectedassoonasachildneededhercare。SheandDeborahsatbymybedside；IknewbythelooksofeachthattherehadbeennonewsofPeter—noawful，ghastlynews，whichwaswhatImosthaddreadedinmydullstatebetweensleepingandwaking。
"Thesameresultofallthesearchinghadbroughtsomethingofthesamerelieftomymother，towhom，Iamsure，thethoughtthatPetermighteventhenbehangingdeadinsomeofthefamiliarhomeplaceshadcausedthatnever—endingwalkofyesterday。Hersofteyesneverwerethesameagainafterthat；theyhadalwaysarestless，cravinglook，asifseekingforwhattheycouldnotfind。
Oh！itwasanawfultime；comingdownlikeathunder—boltonthestillsunnydaywhenthelilacswereallinbloom。"
"WherewasMrPeter？"saidI。
"HehadmadehiswaytoLiverpool；andtherewaswarthen；andsomeoftheking’sshipslayoffthemouthoftheMersey；andtheywereonlytoogladtohaveafinelikelyboysuchashim（fivefootninehewas），cometoofferhimself。Thecaptainwrotetomyfather，andPeterwrotetomymother。Stay！thoseletterswillbesomewherehere。"
Welightedthecandle，andfoundthecaptain’sletterandPeter’stoo。AndwealsofoundalittlesimplebeggingletterfromMrsJenkynstoPeter，addressedtohimatthehouseofanoldschoolfellowwhithershefanciedhemighthavegone。Theyhadreturneditunopened；andunopenedithadremainedeversince，havingbeeninadvertentlyputbyamongtheotherlettersofthattime。Thisisit：—
"MYDEARESTPETER，—Youdidnotthinkweshouldbesosorryasweare，Iknow，oryouwouldneverhavegoneaway。Youaretoogood。
Yourfathersitsandsighstillmyheartachestohearhim。Hecannotholduphisheadforgrief；andyetheonlydidwhathethoughtwasright。Perhapshehasbeentoosevere，andperhapsI
havenotbeenkindenough；butGodknowshowweloveyou，mydearonlyboy。Donlookssosorryyouaregone。Comeback，andmakeushappy，wholoveyousomuch。Iknowyouwillcomeback。"
ButPeterdidnotcomeback。Thatspringdaywasthelasttimeheeversawhismother’sface。Thewriteroftheletter—thelast—
theonlypersonwhohadeverseenwhatwaswritteninit，wasdeadlongago；andI，astranger，notbornatthetimewhenthisoccurrencetookplace，wastheonetoopenit。
Thecaptain’slettersummonedthefatherandmothertoLiverpoolinstantly，iftheywishedtoseetheirboy；and，bysomeofthewildchancesoflife，thecaptain’sletterhadbeendetainedsomewhere，somehow。
MissMattywenton，"Anditwasracetime，andallthepost—horsesatCranfordweregonetotheraces；butmyfatherandmothersetoffinourowngig—andoh！mydear，theyweretoolate—theshipwasgone！AndnowreadPeter’slettertomymother！"
Itwasfulloflove，andsorrow，andprideinhisnewprofession，andasoresenseofhisdisgraceintheeyesofthepeopleatCranford；butendingwithapassionateentreatythatshewouldcomeandseehimbeforehelefttheMersey："Mother；wemaygointobattle。Ihopeweshall，andlickthoseFrench：butImustseeyouagainbeforethattime。"
"Andshewastoolate，"saidMissMatty；"toolate！"
Wesatinsilence，ponderingonthefullmeaningofthosesad，sadwords。AtlengthIaskedMissMattytotellmehowhermotherboreit。
"Oh！"shesaid，"shewaspatienceitself。Shehadneverbeenstrong，andthisweakenedherterribly。Myfatherusedtositlookingather：farmoresadthanshewas。Heseemedasifhecouldlookatnothingelsewhenshewasby；andhewassohumble—
soverygentlenow。Hewould，perhaps，speakinhisoldway—
layingdownthelaw，asitwere—andthen，inaminuteortwo，hewouldcomeroundandputhishandonourshoulders，andaskusinalowvoice，ifhehadsaidanythingtohurtus。IdidnotwonderathisspeakingsotoDeborah，forshewassoclever；butIcouldnotbeartohearhimtalkingsotome。
"But，yousee，hesawwhatwedidnot—thatitwaskillingmymother。Yes！killingher（putoutthecandle，mydear；Icantalkbetterinthedark），forshewasbutafrailwoman，andill—fittedtostandthefrightandshockshehadgonethrough；andshewouldsmileathimandcomforthim，notinwords，butinherlooksandtones，whichwerealwayscheerfulwhenhewasthere。AndshewouldspeakofhowshethoughtPeterstoodagoodchanceofbeingadmiralverysoon—hewassobraveandclever；andhowshethoughtofseeinghiminhisnavyuniform，andwhatsortofhatsadmiralswore；andhowmuchmorefithewastobeasailorthanaclergyman；
andallinthatway，justtomakemyfatherthinkshewasquitegladofwhatcameofthatunluckymorning’swork，andthefloggingwhichwasalwaysinhismind，asweallknew。Butoh，mydear！thebitter，bittercryingshehadwhenshewasalone；andatlast，asshegrewweaker，shecouldnotkeephertearsinwhenDeborahormewasby，andwouldgiveusmessageaftermessageforPeter（hisshiphadgonetotheMediterranean，orsomewheredownthere，andthenhewasorderedofftoIndia，andtherewasnooverlandroutethen）；
butshestillsaidthatnooneknewwheretheirdeathlayinwait，andthatwewerenottothinkherswasnear。Wedidnotthinkit，butweknewit，aswesawherfadingaway。
"Well，mydear，it’sveryfoolishofme，Iknow，wheninalllikelihoodIamsonearseeingheragain。
"Andonlythink，love！theverydayafterherdeath—forshedidnotlivequiteatwelvemonthafterPeterwentaway—theverydayafter—cameaparcelforherfromIndia—fromherpoorboy。Itwasalarge，soft，whiteIndianshawl，withjustalittlenarrowborderallround；justwhatmymotherwouldhaveliked。
"Wethoughtitmightrousemyfather，forhehadsatwithherhandinhisallnightlong；soDeborahtookitintohim，andPeter’slettertoher，andall。Atfirst，hetooknonotice；andwetriedtomakeakindoflightcarelesstalkabouttheshawl，openingitoutandadmiringit。Then，suddenly，hegotup，andspoke：’Sheshallbeburiedinit，’hesaid；’Petershallhavethatcomfort；
andshewouldhavelikedit。’
"Well，perhapsitwasnotreasonable，butwhatcouldwedoorsay？
Onegivespeopleingrieftheirownway。Hetookitupandfeltit：’Itisjustsuchashawlasshewishedforwhenshewasmarried，andhermotherdidnotgiveither。Ididnotknowofittillafter，orsheshouldhavehadit—sheshould；butsheshallhaveitnow。’
"Mymotherlookedsolovelyinherdeath！Shewasalwayspretty，andnowshelookedfair，andwaxen，andyoung—youngerthanDeborah，asshestoodtremblingandshiveringbyher。Wedeckedherinthelongsoftfolds；shelaysmiling，asifpleased；andpeoplecame—allCranfordcame—tobegtoseeher，fortheyhadlovedherdearly，aswelltheymight；andthecountrywomenbroughtposies；oldClare’swifebroughtsomewhitevioletsandbeggedtheymightlieonherbreast。
"Deborahsaidtome，thedayofmymother’sfuneral，thatifshehadahundredofferssheneverwouldmarryandleavemyfather。Itwasnotverylikelyshewouldhavesomany—Idon’tknowthatshehadone；butitwasnotlesstohercredittosayso。ShewassuchadaughtertomyfatherasIthinkthereneverwasbeforeorsince。
Hiseyesfailedhim，andshereadbookafterbook，andwrote，andcopied，andwasalwaysathisserviceinanyparishbusiness。Shecoulddomanymorethingsthanmypoormothercould；sheevenoncewrotealettertothebishopformyfather。Buthemissedmymothersorely；thewholeparishnoticedit。Notthathewaslessactive；Ithinkhewasmoreso，andmorepatientinhelpingeveryone。IdidallIcouldtosetDeborahatlibertytobewithhim；
forIknewIwasgoodforlittle，andthatmybestworkintheworldwastodooddjobsquietly，andsetothersatliberty。Butmyfatherwasachangedman。"
"DidMrPeterevercomehome？"
"Yes，once。Hecamehomealieutenant；hedidnotgettobeadmiral。Andheandmyfatherweresuchfriends！Myfathertookhimintoeveryhouseintheparish，hewassoproudofhim。HeneverwalkedoutwithoutPeter’sarmtoleanupon。Deborahusedtosmile（Idon’tthinkweeverlaughedagainaftermymother’sdeath），andsayshewasquiteputinacorner。Notbutwhatmyfatheralwayswantedherwhentherewasletter—writingorreadingtobedone，oranythingtobesettled。"
"Andthen？"saidI，afterapause。
"ThenPeterwenttoseaagain；and，by—and—by，myfatherdied，blessingusboth，andthankingDeborahforallshehadbeentohim；
and，ofcourse，ourcircumstanceswerechanged；and，insteadoflivingattherectory，andkeepingthreemaidsandaman，wehadtocometothissmallhouse，andbecontentwithaservant—of—all—
work；but，asDeborahusedtosay，wehavealwayslivedgenteelly，evenifcircumstanceshavecompelledustosimplicity。PoorDeborah！"
"AndMrPeter？"askedI。
"Oh，therewassomegreatwarinIndia—Iforgetwhattheycallit—andwehaveneverheardofPetersincethen。Ibelieveheisdeadmyself；anditsometimesfidgetsmethatwehaveneverputonmourningforhim。Andthenagain，whenIsitbymyself，andallthehouseisstill，IthinkIhearhisstepcomingupthestreet，andmyheartbeginstoflutterandbeat；butthesoundalwaysgoespast—andPeternevercomes。
"That’sMarthaback？No！I’LLgo，mydear；Icanalwaysfindmywayinthedark，youknow。Andablowoffreshairatthedoorwilldomyheadgood，andit’srathergotatrickofaching。"
Soshepatteredoff。Ihadlightedthecandle，togivetheroomacheerfulappearanceagainstherreturn。
"WasitMartha？"askedI。
"Yes。AndIamratheruncomfortable，forIheardsuchastrangenoise，justasIwasopeningthedoor。"
"Where？’Iasked，forhereyeswereroundwithaffright。
"Inthestreet—justoutside—itsoundedlike"—
"Talking？"Iputin，asshehesitatedalittle。
"No！kissing"—
CHAPTERVII—VISITING
ONEmorning，asMissMattyandIsatatourwork—itwasbeforetwelveo’clock，andMissMattyhadnotchangedthecapwithyellowribbonsthathadbeenMissJenkyns’sbest，andwhichMissMattywasnowwearingoutinprivate，puttingontheonemadeinimitationofMrsJamieson’satalltimeswhensheexpectedtobeseen—Marthacameup，andaskedifMissBettyBarkermightspeaktohermistress。MissMattyassented，andquicklydisappearedtochangetheyellowribbons，whileMissBarkercameupstairs；but，asshehadforgottenherspectacles，andwasratherflurriedbytheunusualtimeofthevisit，Iwasnotsurprisedtoseeherreturnwithonecaponthetopoftheother。Shewasquiteunconsciousofitherself，andlookedatus，withblandsatisfaction。NordoI
thinkMissBarkerperceivedit；for，puttingasidethelittlecircumstancethatshewasnotsoyoungasshehadbeen，shewasverymuchabsorbedinhererrand，whichshedeliveredherselfofwithanoppressivemodestythatfoundventinendlessapologies。
MissBettyBarkerwasthedaughteroftheoldclerkatCranfordwhohadofficiatedinMrJenkyns’stime。Sheandhersisterhadhadprettygoodsituationsasladies’maids，andhadsavedmoneyenoughtosetupamilliner’sshop，whichhadbeenpatronisedbytheladiesintheneighbourhood。LadyArley，forinstance，wouldoccasionallygiveMissBarkersthepatternofanoldcapofhers，whichtheyimmediatelycopiedandcirculatedamongtheeliteofCranford。IsaytheELITE，forMissBarkershadcaughtthetrickoftheplace，andpiquedthemselvesupontheir"aristocraticconnection。"Theywouldnotselltheircapsandribbonstoanyonewithoutapedigree。Manyafarmer’swifeordaughterturnedawayhuffedfromMissBarkers’selectmillinery，andwentrathertotheuniversalshop，wheretheprofitsofbrownsoapandmoistsugarenabledtheproprietortogostraightto（Paris，hesaid，untilhefoundhiscustomerstoopatrioticandJohnBullishtowearwhattheMounseerswore）London，where，asheoftentoldhiscustomers，QueenAdelaidehadappeared，onlytheveryweekbefore，inacapexactlyliketheoneheshowedthem，trimmedwithyellowandblueribbons，andhadbeencomplimentedbyKingWilliamonthebecomingnatureofherhead—dress。
MissBarkers，whoconfinedthemselvestotruth，anddidnotapproveofmiscellaneouscustomers，throvenotwithstanding。Theywereself—denying，goodpeople。ManyatimehaveIseentheeldestofthem（shethathadbeenmaidtoMrsJamieson）carryingoutsomedelicatemesstoapoorperson。Theyonlyapedtheirbettersinhaving"nothingtodo"withtheclassimmediatelybelowtheirs。
AndwhenMissBarkerdied，theirprofitsandincomewerefoundtobesuchthatMissBettywasjustifiedinshuttingupshopandretiringfrombusiness。Shealso（asIthinkIhavebeforesaid）
setuphercow；amarkofrespectabilityinCranfordalmostasdecidedassettingupagigisamongsomepeople。ShedressedfinerthananyladyinCranford；andwedidnotwonderatit；foritwasunderstoodthatshewaswearingoutallthebonnetsandcapsandoutrageousribbonswhichhadonceformedherstock—in—trade。
Itwasfiveorsixyearssinceshehadgivenupshop，soinanyotherplacethanCranfordherdressmighthavebeenconsideredPASSEE。
AndnowMissBettyBarkerhadcalledtoinviteMissMattytoteaatherhouseonthefollowingTuesday。Shegavemealsoanimpromptuinvitation，asIhappenedtobeavisitor—thoughIcouldseeshehadalittlefearlest，sincemyfatherhadgonetoliveinDrumble，hemighthaveengagedinthat"horridcottontrade，"andsodraggedhisfamilydownoutof"aristocraticsociety。"Sheprefacedthisinvitationwithsomanyapologiesthatshequiteexcitedmycuriosity。"Herpresumption"wastobeexcused。Whathadshebeendoing？Sheseemedsoover—poweredbyitIcouldonlythinkthatshehadbeenwritingtoQueenAdelaidetoaskforareceiptforwashinglace；buttheactwhichshesocharacterisedwasonlyaninvitationshehadcarriedtohersister’sformermistress，MrsJamieson。"Herformeroccupationconsidered，couldMissMattyexcusetheliberty？"Ah！thoughtI，shehasfoundoutthatdoublecap，andisgoingtorectifyMissMatty’shead—dress。
No！itwassimplytoextendherinvitationtoMissMattyandtome。
MissMattybowedacceptance；andIwonderedthat，inthegracefulaction，shedidnotfeeltheunusualweightandextraordinaryheightofherhead—dress。ButIdonotthinkshedid，forsherecoveredherbalance，andwentontalkingtoMissBettyinakind，condescendingmanner，verydifferentfromthefidgetywayshewouldhavehadifshehadsuspectedhowsingularherappearancewas。
"MrsJamiesoniscoming，Ithinkyousaid？"askedMissMatty。
"Yes。MrsJamiesonmostkindlyandcondescendinglysaidshewouldbehappytocome。Onelittlestipulationshemade，thatsheshouldbringCarlo。ItoldherthatifIhadaweakness，itwasfordogs。"
"AndMissPole？"questionedMissMatty，whowasthinkingofherpoolatPreference，inwhichCarlowouldnotbeavailableasapartner。
"IamgoingtoaskMissPole。Ofcourse，IcouldnotthinkofaskingheruntilIhadaskedyou，madam—therector’sdaughter，madam。Believeme，Idonotforgetthesituationmyfatherheldunderyours。"
"AndMrsForrester，ofcourse？"
"AndMrsForrester。Ithought，infact，ofgoingtoherbeforeI
wenttoMissPole。Althoughhercircumstancesarechanged，madam，shewasbornatTyrrell，andwecanneverforgetheralliancetotheBigges，ofBigelowHall。"
MissMattycaredmuchmoreforthelittlecircumstanceofherbeingaverygoodcard—player。
"MrsFitz—Adam—Isuppose"—
"No，madam。Imustdrawalinesomewhere。MrsJamiesonwouldnot，Ithink，liketomeetMrsFitz—Adam。IhavethegreatestrespectforMrsFitz—Adam—butIcannotthinkherfitsocietyforsuchladiesasMrsJamiesonandMissMatildaJenkyns。"
MissBettyBarkerbowedlowtoMissMatty，andpurseduphermouth。
Shelookedatmewithsidelongdignity，asmuchastosay，althougharetiredmilliner，shewasnodemocrat，andunderstoodthedifferenceofranks。
"MayIbegyoutocomeasnearhalf—pastsixtomylittledwelling，aspossible，MissMatilda？MrsJamiesondinesatfive，buthaskindlypromisednottodelayhervisitbeyondthattime—half—pastsix。"AndwithaswimmingcurtseyMissBettyBarkertookherleave。
MypropheticsoulforetoldavisitthatafternoonfromMissPole，whousuallycametocallonMissMatildaafteranyevent—orindeedinsightofanyevent—totalkitoverwithher。
"MissBettytoldmeitwastobeachoiceandselectfew，"saidMissPole，assheandMissMattycomparednotes。
"Yes，soshesaid。NotevenMrsFitz—Adam。"
NowMrsFitz—AdamwasthewidowedsisteroftheCranfordsurgeon，whomIhavenamedbefore。Theirparentswererespectablefarmers，contentwiththeirstation。ThenameofthesegoodpeoplewasHoggins。MrHogginswastheCranforddoctornow；wedislikedthenameandconsidereditcoarse；but，asMissJenkynssaid，ifhechangedittoPigginsitwouldnotbemuchbetter。WehadhopedtodiscoverarelationshipbetweenhimandthatMarchionessofExeterwhosenamewasMollyHoggins；buttheman，carelessofhisowninterests，utterlyignoredanddeniedanysuchrelationship，although，asdearMissJenkynshadsaid，hehadasistercalledMary，andthesameChristiannameswereveryapttoruninfamilies。
SoonafterMissMaryHogginsmarriedMrFitz—Adam，shedisappearedfromtheneighbourhoodformanyyears。ShedidnotmoveinasphereinCranfordsocietysufficientlyhightomakeanyofuscaretoknowwhatMrFitz—Adamwas。Hediedandwasgatheredtohisfatherswithoutoureverhavingthoughtabouthimatall。AndthenMrsFitz—AdamreappearedinCranford（"asboldasalion，"MissPolesaid），awell—to—dowidow，dressedinrustlingblacksilk，sosoonafterherhusband’sdeaththatpoorMissJenkynswasjustifiedintheremarkshemade，that"bombazinewouldhaveshownadeepersenseofherloss。"
IremembertheconvocationofladieswhoassembledtodecidewhetherornotMrsFitz—Adamshouldbecalleduponbytheoldblue—
bloodedinhabitantsofCranford。Shehadtakenalargeramblinghouse，whichhadbeenusuallyconsideredtoconferapatentofgentilityuponitstenant，because，onceuponatime，seventyoreightyyearsbefore，thespinsterdaughterofanearlhadresidedinit。Iamnotsureiftheinhabitingthishousewasnotalsobelievedtoconveysomeunusualpowerofintellect；fortheearl’sdaughter，LadyJane，hadasister，LadyAnne，whohadmarriedageneralofficerinthetimeoftheAmericanwar，andthisgeneralofficerhadwrittenoneortwocomedies，whichwerestillactedontheLondonboards，andwhich，whenwesawthemadvertised，madeusalldrawup，andfeelthatDruryLanewaspayingaveryprettycomplimenttoCranford。Still，itwasnotatallasettledthingthatMrsFitz—Adamwastobevisited，whendearMissJenkynsdied；
and，withher，somethingoftheclearknowledgeofthestrictcodeofgentilitywentouttoo。AsMissPoleobserved，"AsmostoftheladiesofgoodfamilyinCranfordwereelderlyspinsters，orwidowswithoutchildren，ifwedidnotrelaxalittle，andbecomelessexclusive，by—and—byweshouldhavenosocietyatall。"
MrsForrestercontinuedonthesameside。
"ShehadalwaysunderstoodthatFitzmeantsomethingaristocratic；
therewasFitz—Roy—shethoughtthatsomeoftheKing’schildrenhadbeencalledFitz—Roy；andtherewasFitz—Clarence，now—theywerethechildrenofdeargoodKingWilliamtheFourth。Fitz—Adam！
—itwasaprettyname，andshethoughtitveryprobablymeant’ChildofAdam。’Noone，whohadnotsomegoodbloodintheirveins，woulddaretobecalledFitz；therewasadealinaname—
shehadhadacousinwhospelthisnamewithtwolittleffs—
ffoulkes—andhealwayslookeddownuponcapitallettersandsaidtheybelongedtolately—inventedfamilies。Shehadbeenafraidhewoulddieabachelor，hewassoverychoice。WhenhemetwithaMrsffarringdon，atawatering—place，hetooktoherimmediately；
andaveryprettygenteelwomanshewas—awidow，withaverygoodfortune；and’mycousin，’Mrffoulkes，marriedher；anditwasallowingtohertwolittleffs。"
MrsFitz—AdamdidnotstandachanceofmeetingwithaMrFitz—
anythinginCranford，sothatcouldnothavebeenhermotiveforsettlingthere。MissMattythoughtitmighthavebeenthehopeofbeingadmittedintothesocietyoftheplace，whichwouldcertainlybeaveryagreeableriseforCI—DEVANTMissHoggins；andifthishadbeenherhopeitwouldbecrueltodisappointher。
SoeverybodycalleduponMrsFitz—Adam—everybodybutMrsJamieson，whousedtoshowhowhonourableshewasbyneverseeingMrsFitz—AdamwhentheymetattheCranfordparties。Therewouldbeonlyeightortenladiesintheroom，andMrsFitz—Adamwasthelargestofall，andsheinvariablyusedtostandupwhenMrsJamiesoncamein，andcurtseyverylowtoherwheneversheturnedinherdirection—solow，infact，thatIthinkMrsJamiesonmusthavelookedatthewallaboveher，forshenevermovedamuscleofherface，nomorethanifshehadnotseenher。StillMrsFitz—
Adampersevered。
ThespringeveningsweregettingbrightandlongwhenthreeorfourladiesincalashesmetatMissBarker’sdoor。Doyouknowwhatacalashis？Itisacoveringwornovercaps，notunliketheheadsfastenedonold—fashionedgigs；butsometimesitisnotquitesolarge。Thiskindofhead—gearalwaysmadeanawfulimpressiononthechildreninCranford；andnowtwoorthreeleftofftheirplayinthequietsunnylittlestreet，andgatheredinwonderingsilenceroundMissPole，MissMatty，andmyself。Weweresilenttoo，sothatwecouldhearloud，suppressedwhispersinsideMissBarker’shouse："Wait，Peggy！waittillI’verunupstairsandwashedmyhands。WhenIcough，openthedoor；I’llnotbeaminute。"
And，trueenoughitwasnotaminutebeforeweheardanoise，betweenasneezeandacrow；onwhichthedoorflewopen。Behinditstoodaround—eyedmaiden，allaghastatthehonourablecompanyofcalashes，whomarchedinwithoutaword。Sherecoveredpresenceofmindenoughtousherusintoasmallroom，whichhadbeentheshop，butwasnowconvertedintoatemporarydressing—room。Thereweunpinnedandshookourselves，andarrangedourfeaturesbeforetheglassintoasweetandgraciouscompany—face；andthen，bowingbackwardswith"Afteryou，ma’am，"weallowedMrsForrestertotakeprecedenceupthenarrowstaircasethatledtoMissBarker’sdrawing—room。Thereshesat，asstatelyandcomposedasthoughwehadneverheardthatodd—soundingcough，fromwhichherthroatmusthavebeeneventhensoreandrough。Kind，gentle，shabbily—dressedMrsForresterwasimmediatelyconductedtothesecondplaceofhonour—aseatarrangedsomethinglikePrinceAlbert’sneartheQueen’s—good，butnotsogood。Theplaceofpre—eminencewas，ofcourse，reservedfortheHonourableMrsJamieson，whopresentlycamepantingupthestairs—Carlorushingroundheronherprogress，asifhemeanttotripherup。
AndnowMissBettyBarkerwasaproudandhappywoman！Shestirredthefire，andshutthedoor，andsatasneartoitasshecould，quiteontheedgeofherchair。WhenPeggycamein，totteringundertheweightofthetea—tray，InoticedthatMissBarkerwassadlyafraidlestPeggyshouldnotkeepherdistancesufficiently。
Sheandhermistresswereonveryfamiliartermsintheirevery—dayintercourse，andPeggywantednowtomakeseverallittleconfidencestoher，whichMissBarkerwasonthornstohear，butwhichshethoughtitherduty，asalady，torepress。SosheturnedawayfromallPeggy’sasidesandsigns；butshemadeoneortwoverymalaproposanswerstowhatwassaid；andatlast，seizedwithabrightidea，sheexclaimed，"Poor，sweetCarlo！I’mforgettinghim。Comedownstairswithme，poorittiedoggie，anditshallhaveitstea，itshall！"
Inafewminutesshereturned，blandandbenignantasbefore；butI
thoughtshehadforgottentogivethe"poorittiedoggie"anythingtoeat，judgingbytheaviditywithwhichheswalloweddownchancepiecesofcake。Thetea—traywasabundantlyloaded—Iwaspleasedtoseeit，Iwassohungry；butIwasafraidtheladiespresentmightthinkitvulgarlyheapedup。Iknowtheywouldhavedoneattheirownhouses；butsomehowtheheapsdisappearedhere。IsawMrsJamiesoneatingseed—cake，slowlyandconsiderately，asshedideverything；andIwasrathersurprised，forIknewshehadtoldus，ontheoccasionofherlastparty，thatsheneverhaditinherhouse，itremindedhersomuchofscentedsoap。ShealwaysgaveusSavoybiscuits。However，MrsJamiesonwaskindlyindulgenttoMissBarker’swantofknowledgeofthecustomsofhighlife；and，tospareherfeelings，atethreelargepiecesofseed—cake，withaplacid，ruminatingexpressionofcountenance，notunlikeacow’s。
Afterteatherewassomelittledemuranddifficulty。Weweresixinnumber；fourcouldplayatPreference，andfortheothertwotherewasCribbage。Butall，exceptmyself（IwasratherafraidoftheCranfordladiesatcards，foritwasthemostearnestandseriousbusinesstheyeverengagedin），wereanxioustobeofthe"pool。"EvenMissBarker，whiledeclaringshedidnotknowSpadillefromManille，wasevidentlyhankeringtotakeahand。Thedilemmawassoonputanendtobyasingularkindofnoise。Ifabaron’sdaughter—in—lawcouldeverbesupposedtosnore，IshouldhavesaidMrsJamiesondidsothen；for，overcomebytheheatoftheroom，andinclinedtodozebynature，thetemptationofthatverycomfortablearm—chairhadbeentoomuchforher，andMrsJamiesonwasnodding。Onceortwicesheopenedhereyeswithaneffort，andcalmlybutunconsciouslysmileduponus；butby—and—by，evenherbenevolencewasnotequaltothisexertion，andshewassoundasleep。
"Itisverygratifyingtome，"whisperedMissBarkeratthecard—
tabletoherthreeopponents，whom，notwithstandingherignoranceofthegame，shewas"basting"mostunmercifully—"verygratifyingindeed，toseehowcompletelyMrsJamiesonfeelsathomeinmypoorlittledwelling；shecouldnothavepaidmeagreatercompliment。"
MissBarkerprovidedmewithsomeliteratureintheshapeofthreeorfourhandsomely—boundfashion—bookstenortwelveyearsold，observing，assheputalittletableandacandleformyespecialbenefit，thatsheknewyoungpeoplelikedtolookatpictures。
Carlolayandsnorted，andstartedathismistress’sfeet。He，too，wasquiteathome。
Thecard—tablewasananimatedscenetowatch；fourladies’heads，withniddle—noddlingcaps，allnearlymeetingoverthemiddleofthetableintheireagernesstowhisperquickenoughandloudenough：andeverynowandthencameMissBarker’s"Hush，ladies！ifyouplease，hush！MrsJamiesonisasleep。"
ItwasverydifficulttosteerclearbetweenMrsForrester’sdeafnessandMrsJamieson’ssleepiness。ButMissBarkermanagedherarduoustaskwell。SherepeatedthewhispertoMrsForrester，distortingherfaceconsiderably，inordertoshow，bythemotionsofherlips，whatwassaid；andthenshesmiledkindlyallroundatus，andmurmuredtoherself，"Verygratifying，indeed；Iwishmypoorsisterhadbeenalivetoseethisday。"
Presentlythedoorwasthrownwideopen；Carlostartedtohisfeet，withaloudsnappingbark，andMrsJamiesonawoke：or，perhaps，shehadnotbeenasleep—asshesaidalmostdirectly，theroomhadbeensolightshehadbeengladtokeephereyesshut，buthadbeenlisteningwithgreatinteresttoallouramusingandagreeableconversation。Peggycameinoncemore，redwithimportance。
Anothertray！"Oh，gentility！"thoughtI，"canyonendurethislastshock？"ForMissBarkerhadordered（nay，Idoubtnot，prepared，althoughshedidsay，"Why，Peggy，whathaveyoubroughtus？"andlookedpleasantlysurprisedattheunexpectedpleasure）
allsortsofgoodthingsforsupper—scallopedoysters，pottedlobsters，jelly，adishcalled"littleCupids"（whichwasingreatfavourwiththeCranfordladies，althoughtooexpensivetobegiven，exceptonsolemnandstateoccasions—macaroonssoppedinbrandy，Ishouldhavecalledit，ifIhadnotknownitsmorerefinedandclassicalname）。Inshort，wewereevidentlytobefeastedwithallthatwassweetestandbest；andwethoughtitbettertosubmitgraciously，evenatthecostofourgentility—
whichneveratesuppersingeneral，butwhich，likemostnon—
supper—eaters，wasparticularlyhungryonallspecialoccasions。
MissBarker，inherformersphere，had，Idaresay，beenmadeacquaintedwiththebeveragetheycallcherry—brandy。Wenoneofushadeverseensuchathing，andrathershrankbackwhensheproffereditus—"justalittle，leetleglass，ladies；aftertheoystersandlobsters，youknow。Shell—fisharesometimesthoughtnotverywholesome。"Weallshookourheadslikefemalemandarins；
but，atlast，MrsJamiesonsufferedherselftobepersuaded，andwefollowedherlead。Itwasnotexactlyunpalatable，thoughsohotandsostrongthatwethoughtourselvesboundtogiveevidencethatwewerenotaccustomedtosuchthingsbycoughingterribly—almostasstrangelyasMissBarkerhaddone，beforewewereadmittedbyPeggy。
"It’sverystrong，"saidMissPole，assheputdownheremptyglass；"Idobelievethere’sspiritinit。"
"Onlyalittledrop—justnecessarytomakeitkeep，"saidMissBarker。"Youknowweputbrandy—pepperoverourpreservestomakethemkeep。Ioftenfeeltipsymyselffromeatingdamsontart。"
IquestionwhetherdamsontartwouldhaveopenedMrsJamieson’sheartasthecherry—brandydid；butshetoldusofacomingevent，respectingwhichshehadbeenquitesilenttillthatmoment。
"Mysister—in—law，LadyGlenmire，iscomingtostaywithme。"
Therewasachorusof"Indeed！"andthenapause。Eachonerapidlyreviewedherwardrobe，astoitsfitnesstoappearinthepresenceofabaron’swidow；for，ofcourse，aseriesofsmallfestivalswerealwaysheldinCranfordonthearrivalofavisitoratanyofourfriends’houses。Wefeltverypleasantlyexcitedonthepresentoccasion。
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